Slices
Prepare
Reflect on verse 1 of this psalm, remembering that God’s name (presence) is near; remember his wonderful deeds.
Bible passage
For the director of music. To the tune of ‘Do Not Destroy’. A psalm of Asaph. A song.
1 We praise you, God,
we praise you, for your Name is near;
people tell of your wonderful deeds.
2 You say, ‘I choose the appointed time;
it is I who judge with equity.
3 When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
4 To the arrogant I say, “Boast no more,”
and to the wicked, “Do not lift up your horns.
5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak so defiantly.”’
6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges:
he brings one down, he exalts another.
8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.
9 As for me, I will declare this for ever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,
10 who says, ‘I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.’
Explore
Singing songs is to praise God for who he is and what he’s done, and to remind us as a church who we trust in. The writer of this psalm creates a song to be sung while God’s people long for the time when their enemies – or even evil in general – will ultimately be dealt with (v 7).
Evil can make the world feel shaky, out of control and scary. Our personal worlds can feel this way too. When we – or things around us – quake, we’re reminded it’s God’s hands holding us underneath (v 3). God will come at just the right time to judge rightly (v 2), so we shouldn’t succumb to our worries.
We’re all faced with a key choice – to look up in arrogance and pride, trusting our own ways (vs 4–6) or to look down in humility, trusting God. Which is easier?
The ultimate example of humility is the one who fell on his face to pray to God before he drank the cup for the wickedness of the earth (Matthew 26:36–46; Psalm 75:8). Through his head bowed in submission on the cross and raised again three days later, we can join in his exaltation by God (v 7; 1 Peter 4:13). We can enjoy the closeness of his company and benefit from his wonderful deeds (v 1).
Respond
The earth or your world may feel quaky. God is on the throne and he will act at the right time. Take shelter in his name.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Exodus 29,30; Psalm 18
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the Green Classrooms Project run by SU Honduras which supports families in vulnerable communities by training them to grow their own food. Pray that God will provide the resources and people needed to sustain and expand this ministry.
